CONTAINER WITH INTEGRATED TRAY

Abstract

A container with integrated stowage compartment. The container has a bottle portion that is dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of a pourable substance. One or more compartments are defined as in a sidewall of the bottle portion that protrude into an interior cavity. The compartments may be fitted with a film, foil, or snap fit cover, to contain a complimentary product to the pourable substance. The pourable substance may be a beverage, a food product, or a base composition. The complimentary product may be a snack item, or a composition selected from the group consisting of a reagent, a catalyst, and activating ingredient.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to beverage containers, and more particularly to beverage containers to accompany a snack or food item.

[0002] Beverages carried in disposable containers are ubiquitous in society. When accompanied with a food or snack item, the beverage container and food item are typically bundled, and incorporated into a lunchbox, a bag, or meal container.

[0003] As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method for to provide for an beverage container with an integrated snack tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect of the present invention a container is disclosed. The container includes a bottle portion having at least one sidewall and a base defining an interior cavity for the containment of a pourable product. A spout is configured to receive a cap to secure the pourable product within the bottle portion. At least one compartment is defined by an exterior impression of the at least one sidewall, such that the at least one compartment protrudes into the interior cavity of the bottle. The compartment is dimensioned to receive a complimentary product to the pourable product.

[0005] The container also includes a cover to sealingly enclose the at least one compartment. The cover may be removably secured to the bottle via an adhesive. The cover may be removably secured to the bottle via a weld. In some embodiments, the cover may be removably attached to the bottle via a snap-fit configuration.

[0006] In preferred embodiments, the pourable product is a beverage carried in the bottle portion. In this instance, the complimentary product is a snack item carried in the at least one compartment.

[0007] In other aspects of the invention, a method of packaging a plurality of complimentary products is disclosed. The method includes providing a container, having a bottle portion with at least one sidewall and a base defining an interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity of a pourable product. A spout is configured to receive a cap to contain the pourable product within the bottle portion. At least one compartment is defined by an exterior impression of the at least one sidewall, such that the at least one compartment protrudes into the interior cavity of the bottle portion. The at least one compartment is dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of a second product that is complimentary to the pourable product.

[0008] The method may also include filling the bottle with the predetermined quantity the pourable product and sealing the bottle portion with the cap. Other steps to the method include depositing the predetermined quantity of the second product into the at least one compartment and applying a cover to the bottle portion to seal the second product within the at least one compartment.

[0009] In practicing the method, the pourable product may be a beverage and the complimentary product is a snack item. In other practice of the method, the pourable product is a food product. In yet other aspects of the method, the pourable product is a base composition; and the second product is selected from a group consisting of a reagent, a catalyst, and activating ingredient.

[0010] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container with an integrated snack tray according to aspects of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage container.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container with integrated snack tray taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage container with integrated snack tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0016] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for convenient carrying of a snack item with a beverage container.

[0017] As seen in reference to FIGS. 1-3, a beverage container with an integrated snack tray 10 according to aspects of the invention is shown. The container 10 includes a beverage carrying bottle 12 having at least one sidewall and a base defining an interior cavity for the containment of a beverage, or a pourable food product 22. The bottle 12 includes a spout with a cap 14 to secure the beverage or pourable food item within the bottle 12.

[0018] At least one snack compartment 20 is defined by an exterior impression of the at least one sidewall so that the at least one snack compartment 20 protrudes into the interior cavity of the bottle 12. The snack compartment 20 is dimensioned to receive a plurality of snack items 18. The snack items 18 may include one or more food items selected from the group consisting of nuts, cheese, candies, grains, cereals, meats, cookies, condiments, crackers, chips, cut vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, spreads, and yogurt. The snack items 18 may be segregated in an individual compartment 20 or the compartment 20 may include a mixed of snack items 18.

[0019] Each of the at least one snack compartments 20 is configured to be covered by a removable thin film, foil, or flexible plastic cover to sealingly retain the snack items 18 within the at least one snack compartment 20. Is some embodiments, the cover 16 may be transparent to allow visual inspection of the food items carried in the compartment 20. In other embodiments, the cover 16 may be opaque to prevent spoilage of the food items that may be sensitive to light.

[0020] The cover 16 may be attached to the bottle 12 via a food grade adhesive or a weld. When an adhesive is applied, in some embodiments, the adhesive may be a single use type. In other alternative embodiments, the adhesive may allow the cover 16 to be reapplied to the bottle 12 to retain remaining snack items. The cover 16 may be applied to each of the one or more compartments 20 or the cover 16 may be applied to the compartments 20 individually. As will be appreciated, the cover 16, may also be applied to the compartments 20 in a replaceable snap fit configuration.

[0021] In a non-limiting embodiment shown in the drawings, the beverage container 12 may have four orthagonal sidewalls with the snack compartments 20 defined in a common sidewall. The snack compartment 20 is dimensioned with a sufficient depth and width to receive a desired quantity of the of snack items 18.

[0022] In use, the beverage container with integrated snack tray 10 is filled with a desired beverage or pourable food product 22 and sealed with the cap 14. The snack compartment 20 is filled with a selected snack item 18 and the cover 16 is applied. The user is the able to conveniently carry the container 10 in a purse, a backpack, a sport bag, a brief case or the like. When the user is ready for refreshment and a snack, the user may selectively remove the cap 14 to consume the beverage or the cover 16 to consume the snack item 18.

[0023] While the foregoing has been described aspects of the present invention in the context of a beverage container with integrated snack tray 10, the invention may find further application in providing a convenient packaging for a meal preparation or food service packaging. By way of non-limiting example, the pourable food product 22 within the bottle 12 may include a pancake mix, while the one or more compartments 20 may contain a syrup product to apply to the prepared pancakes.

[0024] Likewise, the container 10 may find utility with non-food service items, such a base composition for a medications, a petroleum product, a pesticide, and the like. The pourable product 22 carried within the bottle 12 may be a base product to which one or more complimentary components, such as a reagent, a catalyst, or activation ingredient, which may be carried in the compartments 20. The compartment 20 and bottle 12 are each dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of the complimentary components.

[0025] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A container, comprising: a bottle portion having at least one sidewall and a base defining an interior cavity for the containment of a pourable product; a spout configured to receive a cap to secure the pourable product; and at least one compartment defined by an exterior impression of the at least one sidewall, such that the at least one compartment protrudes into the interior cavity of the bottle, the compartment dimensioned to receive a complimentary product to the pourable product.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising: a cover to sealingly enclose the at least one compartment.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the cover is removably secured to the bottle via an adhesive.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein the cover is removably secured to the bottle via a weld.

5. The container of claim 2, wherein the cover is removably attached to the bottle via a snap-fit configuration.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the pourable product is a beverage carried in the bottle portion.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the complimentary product is a snack item carried in the at least one compartment.

8. A method of packaging a plurality of complimentary products, comprising providing a container, having a bottle portion with at least one sidewall and a base defining an interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity of a pourable product, a spout configured to receive a cap to contain the pourable product within the bottle portion, and at least one compartment defined by an exterior impression of the at least one sidewall, such that the at least one compartment protrudes into the interior cavity of the bottle portion, wherein the at least one compartment is dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of a second product that is complimentary to the pourable product.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: filling the bottle with the predetermined quantity the pourable product; and sealing the bottle portion with the cap.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: depositing the predetermined quantity of the second product into the at least one compartment; and applying a cover to the bottle portion to seal the second product within the at least one compartment.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the pourable product is a beverage.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second product is a snack item.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the pourable product is a food product.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the pourable product is a base composition; and the second product is selected from the group consisting of a reagent, a catalyst, and activating ingredient.